Wellness Wednesday

Exercise Revives Plasticity in Those Suffering From Mild Cognitive Impairment

A study conducted by the University of Maryland School of Public Health has found than neural pathways can be reconnected through moderate intensity exercise.

Exercise is important for providing maintenance to our bodies and for muscular rehabilitation, but what if exercise could provide re-connection lost neural pathways which cause mild cognitive impairment (MCI)? According to the findings of a 12-week study of 60-88 year olds with MCI or Alzheimer's who walked four times a week, the exercise may be related to the re-connection of neural pathways that cause the onset of MCI or Alzheimer's. Reduced connectivity to the PCC/precuneus region of the brain, as seen through MRI imaging, can be used as a biomarker to detect cognitive impairment before the visible onset of MCI or Alzheimer's. 

The research team, led by Dr. J. Carson Smith, studied a group of 16 healthy seniors and 16 seniors diagnosed with MCI. Both groups walked for 30 minutes, four times a week for 12-weeks at a heart rate reserve of 50-60%. After completing the 12-week exercise program, both groups were able to improve memory retention, as seen through a test where subjects had to recite a list of words from memory. Even more encouraging, however, was that the MCI group showed increased connectivity to the PCC/precuneus region of the brain. While this study did not prove that exercise can delay the onset of Alzheimer's, it did provide support for evidence that exercise stimulates the plasticity and re-connectivity potential of neural pathways.